I've not taken many really due to the usual bad weather . I took this yesterday then discovered the ultra cool colour seperation . It is indeed a big step up but i'm just taking my time . No doubt i'll have questions very soon though

From one Panasonic/Pentax user to another. I'm still on the fence on which is better for my situation. I have the K-x similiar to your newer K-r and several lenses. I also own several Panasonics I am not prolific with either one and can honestly say I'm not sure of the advantage of one over the other. I hope you do well with your K-r, But i believe your Fz-38 will still be one that you might return to. Do to the fact that it is an all in one package.

Before I get anyone upset here. I'm not saying the FZ-38 is superior I'm just saying it is a bit of a change from a bridge camera to what he has.
Any way best of luck I hope we can learn something from each other.

From one Panasonic/Pentax user to another. I'm still on the fence on which is better for my situation. I have the K-x similiar to your newer K-r and several lenses. I also own several Panasonics I am not prolific with either one and can honestly say I'm not sure of the advantage of one over the other. I hope you do well with your K-r, But i believe your Fz-38 will still be one that you might return to. Do to the fact that it is an all in one package.

Before I get anyone upset here. I'm not saying the FZ-38 is superior I'm just saying it is a bit of a change from a bridge camera to what he has.
Any way best of luck I hope we can learn something from each other.

Hi Mate.

I recognise your username from the Panasonic forum .
When i decided to change camera i thought long and hard between an Slr and the Fz-150 eventually deciding on the Slr.
I expect to eventually take better photos but i don't expect it to be as easy to achieve decent results . I guess having both would be the perfect (but not affordable for me ) option

It's funny because my very first post here was "what non-dSLR camera..." I ended up buying a camera I never quite got along with (FZ30) and came to the conclusion that if I was willing to give up on smaller size and convenience I would get better pictures. While it turned out to be the right decision for me, it's not the right one for everyone. The best camera for any one person is the one that they use - whether it be a small compact, an ultrazoom or a dSLR.

I love my K5 and my bags full of lenses, I love the quality of photo I can get (if I pay attention to photo things, rather than thinking about the squirrel that's using my roof for a raceway/playground). I love the ability to experiment with new photo techniques, it's all great fun. I wouldn't change anything except that I'd like two more lenses sometime in the future. This can sure be an expensive hobby, if you let it.